Previews

The Italian Job

When The Italian Job was released in theatres in 1969, everyone on the face of the planet wanted to hop into a Mini and drive like a lunatic. Michael Caine's infamous line, "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" became one of the most quoted movie lines ever. And so, this year in cinemas, we're all going to get the chance to see a new, updated version of this classic heist/chase flick which in turn means there's a new video game in the works.

Eidos -- most famous for the enduring Tomb Raider series -- has commissioned U.K. developer Climax to craft a racing title worthy of the film's great license. Coming to PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and PC, The Italian Job is looking set to nail timed mission-based driving in style. And the best part of this? You get to be the wheelman in a selection of cool motors.

The game kicks off with a selection of different play modes. In story mode you'll get to meet main man Charlie Croker and his accomplices as they set out on a daring mission to take back the gold bullion that was stolen from them. The first few levels involve cruising around Hollywood at high speeds in an old '70s Mini. Drop off a few things, pick up a few things, meet a few people -- you get the idea.

The actual gameplay simply involves driving against the clock, following a blip on your radar to a goal point -- pretty basic stuff. At least until you realize that some of the time limits are tight, and then you'll need to start driving a little more recklessly than before, taking shortcuts wherever you can find them.

After a while, you'll hop into a new 2003 Mini Cooper S which handles substantially better than the old clunker from back in the day. In fact, when you get the hang of the controls -- which are solid enough at the moment -- you'll soon learn how to shift weight around the car enabling stunt driving to take place. Two-wheeled cruising against oncoming traffic is fun! There are multiple paths and routes to explore in the well-defined digital cityscapes, and there are more than a few choice ramps and jumps to hit too.

Some gamers may be more intrigued by a few of the other modes available -- particularly the stunt mode. The original movie was famous for its incredible ability to squeeze legendary speed, maneuverability, and stunts out of the tiny little Minis, and so the game's stunt mode will tax and challenge gamers to perform precision driving routines over timed courses. The first course takes place in a warehouse and has you carefully inching up and down metal gantries, hopping over large trucks, and balancing precariously upon high railings. Not for those with a nervous disposition.

There's a circuit race option that'll let two players go head-to-head via split screen and also a free-run mode for those gamers who like to do a little sightseeing. Plenty of unlockable cars are attainable in The Italian Job by completing certain tasks from the various modes; these include a security van, cop car, and even the odd muscle motor too.

Graphically, The Italian Job is shaping up nicely. Climax is gunning for a clean 60 frames-per-second in the final version of the game, and with a tasty widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) view available things are looking pretty for those Minis. Promising a whole host of hidden extras, such as movie footage from the new film, stills, photos, and concept art, there should be something for everyone. The Italian Job is set for release a few weeks from now, so check back with GameSpy for review verdicts soon.